The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell

Opening Lead: Spade Queen

The bidding explained: This auction is simple arithmetic; 19 opposite 6-8 means game.

The play: Declarer trumps the third Spade and pulls trump in two rounds. A Heart is played to dummy and when the Diamond finesse loses, a Diamond is returned.

You now play the Club King, and take the desperation Club finesse. When that also loses, you are down two.

The better play, rather than just counting on the Diamond finesse, is to play the King and Ace of Clubs. If the Queen falls, you can discard a Diamond, and take the Diamond finesse, trying for an overtrick. Assuming the Club Queen does not drop, lead the Jack of Clubs, and discard a Diamond. If West has the Queen, he will be end-played. If East has the Queen, you can fall back on the Diamond finesse. This line of play succeeds anytime East has the doubleton Queen of Clubs, or West has the Queen of clubs. Avoid lazy declarer play.

Questions: email me at gary@smabridge.com.  Lessons: Call 152-6351